At Docking Petty Sessions,
Monday 27th January 1851, John Howard, William Howard, Francis Townsend,
Frederick Bridges, Benjamin Pointer, Richard Annis, William Townsend,
Richard Howard and Daniel Thompson were accused by the churchwarden,
Robert Brooks of Holme, of having maliciously shot at, and of breaking
no less than 40 panes of glass in the church. They had then returned to
their homes in Thornham, grossly insulting a female and others, on the
way.
It was heard that earlier the group had been seen leaving a house in
Thornham, "one of those
pests of society, a Tom and Jerry". < The Lame Dog or the un-named house? >
The Magistrates could only impose a fine of £1 with £1- 8s costs.
John Howard was required to find two sureties of £20 to keep the peace
for six months.

(The oldest person accused was Daniel Thompson who was 48, the youngest
was 13 year old Richard Annis. John Howard was 42 according to the 1851
census.)